Herbert Kohler Jr

Herbert Kohler Jr., CEO of Kohler Company for 43 years and owner of Whistling Straits, died Saturday September 3 2022 , according to a news release from the company. He was 83. Fortune of plumbing king lower this year as housing market continues to get flushed. Third-generation head of Kohler Co. oversees maker of faucets, tile, plumbing, cabinets, generators, engines, toilets. Estimated sales: $5 billion. Real estate portfolio includes golf courses, stables, spas, hotels; prestigious Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews, Scotland. Grandfather started company in 1873 making farming tools and cemetery accessories. Kohler was born Feb. 20, 1939, to Herbert Kohler Sr. and Ruth Myriam DeYoung. He was the oldest of three children. He had a sister, Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, and brother, Frederick Cornell Kohler, both of whom preceded him in death. He became a director of the company in 1967, and following the death of his father a year later, he became vice president of operations. He was named executive vice president in 1971, was elected chairman of the board and CEO in 1972 and president of the company in 1974. In 2015, he became the company's executive chairman, with his son, David, taking the helm as president and CEO. He served Kohler Co. for 61 years. Kohler made his mark on golf in Wisconsin, opening famous courses Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. Blackwolf Run opened in 1988 and was the first piece of Destination Kohler’s golf portfolio, followed by Whistling Straits 10 years later.